Stand By Me

Mass(ive) Changes

So, this past Sunday the church underwent some changes to the liturgy. We had been prepping for it for a long time. In fact the last few weeks at our parish we  practiced and rehearsed the changes to be especially ready. Since I am supportive of the changes and have been looking forward to them, I was certain I had a leg up on the situation (I'm pretty sure Fred was of the same mind). After all, it wasn't like we were going from one language to another- Or having to change the position of everything in the whole church including the priest- this would be a snap! We were even given a cheat sheet in the pews as an accompaniment to the new missal! Can you say lay-up?

The next question you should be asking me is how many of the responses I actually got right. I am ashamed to tell you I failed in grand fashion on my first new mass test. It seemed to make absolutely no difference what-so-ever that  I was thinking about what I should say, and holding the card directly in front of my face, all the wrong words spilled out repeatedly all mass long. Fred leaned over to me at one point and said "Get ready there's another one coming in a second!" and I STILL got the words wrong. EPIC MASS FAIL!

I think it just goes to show you how difficult changes actually are. Our faith is so familiar to us, that to have to think about the words we are saying is like trying to teach you how to brush your teeth or comb your hair . We do it so automatically, and hopefully not in a knee-jerk, mind-numbed manner; but rather from a deep comfort level that makes our faith something sturdy and dependable, like breathing in and out.

Which of course has me thinking a whole lot to the generation that came before us and had to undergo not simple changes like we do, but really radical ones like a new language and priests facing in the wrong direction etc. I grew up on the Novus Ordo mass and for a long time I really didn't 'get' why anyone would want to go to a Latin Mass? Latin? Really? Hmmm? You wouldn't even know what was being said- would you? Being so unfamiliar with it made me kind of scratch my head. Curious isn't it?

Then I actually went to one. I don't know how to explain this except to say WOW!!!! I was really happy to be there. The main difference to me was not the language, I am familiar enough with the mass parts to know WHAT was happening. What I really found striking was that I didn't have to work so hard. It was enough to sit and drink in the actions and join myself  to them in silent prayer. It was beautiful and lovely and silent and holy. I know that happens at mass every time we pray well and when our heart is properly disposed, but it just seemed easier there.  

So what now has me scratching my head is not why anyone would want to go to a Latin mass any longer, but why we don't offer it in the traditional form more often?  And for the life of me I cannot figure out why so many  'outlawed' the Latin Mass for the people who always thought it was beautiful? What harm could possibly come from saying the Mass in the traditional form? (And no I am not speaking about schismatic sects here,  but the real legitimate thing) How did the mass that was around for hundreds of years, the mass of the saints, suddenly need special permission to be said? 

Anyway, that is what I've been thinking about since Sunday. And no, I am not a Traddie.  And yes, I like the changes. And yes, they really are bigger changes than I ever anticipated. They are, in fact massive.   

Advent

We have begun Advent as of yesterday. I really need Advent. It keeps me in the right frame of mind for the holidays. So many demands are placed on us at this time of year and unless we are firmly rooted in the why of the season, we can get burned out pretty quickly. The Advent wreath is out and has been lit for prayers twice now. To the kids, it is an much better time keeper than a calendar for the  'how soon til Christmas?' question. 

We also got one of those neat little Advent calendars with the chocolates inside. The kids each get a day to open the little door and snatch a piece of chocolate as they get closer and closer to baby Jesus' birthday. Tomorrow the Wise Men will appear in the furthest room of my house before prayers and lighting of the wreath. Every few days they'll start making the journey to the creche and the kids will get to move them from room to room bringer them closer at each stop. 

It's all so exciting and it should be! Jesus comes to us ALL each and every year. Some welcome Him, and some will just have no room, but He comes just the same. What a wondrous beautiful gift to behold on Christmas morn. 

Come Lord Jesus! 

I'm Back

We spent a good part of last week with our family (Fred's side) for Thanksgiving. It was a blast.  It was nice to see some new faces and lots of old ones to join the mix. The day after Thanksgiving we had a huge get together with way more food than anyone could possibly eat, tons of kids running about, and ended the evening with a bon-fire. I'll post some pictures below.

Last Guest Post: Mary

Michael didn't want to tell you what he was grateful for, probably because he is pretty much ungrateful most of the time ( but awfully cute). He did tell me that around Christmas he'd be willing to draw a picture of Santa for you all to view, so get ready. Sarah and Sophie were too little to contribute, but Miss Mary simply had to. Since tomorrow begins Advent I'll go back to posting. I have to admit it was awfully nice to have other contributors for the week!


Mary wanted you all to know what she was grateful for, I'll include labels in case you're wondering what's what.

My rocking horse,my bed,my bear on my bed,my toy box with  my game cards inside

My Dad ( who looks eerily like he is carrying an ax)

My doll Sally

GUEST POST:Thomas

Thomas decided the easiest way to share what he was grateful for, was to draw a picture  for you all. I am pretty sure this one will be saved forever!

GUEST POST: Joseph

Joseph tends to cut to the chase on most issues. He handled his gratitude post just that way. I kinda like it. In case you're wondering, I didn't 'coach' my kids on any of their lists this past week. I told them I'd like to let any of them that wanted to post on what they are grateful for do so, and they got to work after that.

• I am most grateful for my faith.
• To be Catholic, you have to believe in one God. 
• You get to hang out with your friends after Mass.
•  We have the best holidays.
•  The rosary keeps your family together.
•  My faith makes the world a better place!

GUEST POST: Matthew

***Matthew went through a reading program designed specifically for dyslexia about 6 weeks ago. He is making terrific progress and has wanted me to 'blog' about it for a while. I decided that instead of me doing the talking, it would be easier to simply let Matty show you where he was at himself, hence the video. After filming it we got into a venomous fight. The reason was NOT because Matthew was upset with reading for you all on video; but because he didn't like the sound of his voice on the film. He doesn't think it sounds anything like him 'in real life' and he almost refused to let me post the video with what he thinks is a girly voice. I am especially thanksful that he allowed me to finally post his progress.***


Matt's Top Ten:

#1 A loving family

#2 Good friends

#3 A good education

#4 a Big Home

#5 Good faith

#6 fishing

#7 Candy

#8 Steak

#9 Football

#10 dancing

(P.S. I'm getting better at reading.)

GUEST POST: John-Paul

Top things I am thankful for
1. at the top of the list would obviously be my parents, they are understanding, kind, forgiving, and have taught me everything from how to tie my shoes to the intricacies of my faith. Whenever I need someone to talk to or answer a difficult question, they are the ones that I can go to
2. My Catholic faith. It is the most comforting thing in the world to know that I have a father in heaven who loves me. He knows the number of all the hairs on my head, and not one falls out that he doesn't know about
3. next up is my immediate and extended family. I know that in my 9 siblings I will always have someone to relate to or to help me up when I'm down. And also I have all my amazing aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
4. My education is truly great. I go to a co-op that my mom supports and helps to keep running, with wonderful teachers and awesome classmates.
5. a wonderful house to live in. I know that, in this day and age, not many people have a place to live. I am grateful that my home is large enough for my whole family (and then some) and comfortable too.
6. great friends.
7. three words. Modern Warfare Three
8. pizza. It is, by far, the best food that has ever been created. I am absolutely positive that God must eat pizza too. It is the food of the Gods and I could not survive without it.

9. books would have to come here, I would have put them up higher but I don't think that I could put them above pizza, that would just be unfair, I also had to put pizza after my MW3 and I couldn't put that before my friends (that would make me an anti-social freak) and I couldn't put that before my house and education. Books are great because they let you go to a whole other world, be somewhere you could never be and do amazing things that you could never do in the real world.

10. pepperoni also, if you want truly good pizza, you need pepperoni and it is also awesome all on its own. I love pepperoni and I could really go for some right now...

GUEST POST: Peter

During the time of thanksgiving, many people often get so caught up in the food, parties, and activities involved that they forget about the POINT of thanksgiving. To give thanks! God has blessed each and every one of us with gifts he wants us to use. Not necessarily physical gifts, but also personalities, skills, and all sorts of different things to better serve him on this earth. We remember the parable of the master who gave his talents to the servants, let us use them gratefully and not horde them, losing their purpose. Its good to remind ourselves of the things we take for granted such as the clothes on our back, or the cars we drive. 10 things I'm grateful for:

1. All of my wonderful friends who are always there for me in my times of need.

2. My parents who brought me into this world (and can easily take me back out)

3. My clothes, games, and bedroom.

4. 3 cars in the driveway (mind if I take out the truck for a spin dad?)

5. My Religious beliefs which I have been so greatly educated in.

6. The beautiful country I live in. God bless the soldiers who protect us!

7. My school, teachers, and supplies (which also came from my parents) to help educate me.

8. My awesome brothers and sisters whom I love, and who all love me back!

9. Food provided for me everyday, all day.

There they are (yes I left out #10 on purpose just to see if you were paying attention.) God bless you all and have a wonderful thanksgiving!

GUEST POST :Andy

Personally, it is my belief that I have a lot to be grateful for. God has blessed me with a great deal of wonderful gifts, starting with amazing people and personal talents as well as different objects and possessions which I enjoy. Without a doubt, my family and friends are the most important part of my life. So, in the first place of my top five, I will put my family.

Naturally, my family takes up the majority of my time. I am blessed with a huge family. I have nine siblings, two parents, more than twenty Aunts and Uncles, over thirty first cousins, and grandparents. However, if anyone of them deserves to be recognized, it is my Mom. Together we have shared hundreds of spectacular memories, butted heads, learned and taught each other important lessons (she did 99% of the teaching, but claims to have learned something from me… Ha! Yeah right!), and most importantly, shown each other love. Within this time I have come to realize that there is no one in my life that I wish I could be more like. I swear this is true. My Mom displays unmatched common sense, incredible kindness, constantly gives selfless acts of love and generosity, and faith which is unmatched by any I have seen. I’m sure that you’ll all agree. However, even though my Mom is the only one worthy of the place she has in my life, this doesn’t mean the rest of my family is less remarkable. So much of my formation, so many of my physical skills, and even my very life, I owe to my Dad. And, in addition to him, each and every one of my siblings has made me the person I am and provided me with many skills.

The next thing which I am most grateful for in my life are my friendships. I am blessed with many wonderful friends who help build me up and provide support for me in the times I need. They are the people whom I am indebted to for my formation. They bring me so much joy through their acts of love and kindness.

I am extremely grateful for my faith. This is in the third position, after my family and my friends, because I owe my faith to them. God has blessed me with the knowledge of His existence through those people. They have taught me to love Him, to want Him, and to need Him. Without faith, my life would be meaningless.

In the fourth spot of what I am most grateful for are my own talents and abilities. I am lucky to be strong, healthy, and athletic. I'm creative and skilled with my hands, I have at least reasonable common sense, and I can run two miles in 12 min. 38 seconds! What I can’t do, I am glad to have natural incentive to want to work on. However, none of this is owned to myself, but rather to God and the people I know who have taught it all to me.

Finally, I am grateful for all that I own and all that I have been given. Indeed, I am lacking in nothing. I have a magnificent home with a pool, a bed room, clothes, a laptop, and plenty to eat. My family even has an extra car which I am permitted drive! What more could one want!?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, God bless!!!

Guest Post; Fred

This week being Thanksgiving and all, I figured we'd mix it up a little over here at Me and My House. For the next few days you'll be hearing from the rest of my family. They'll all be telling you what things they are most grateful for as we lead up to Thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but I am kinda interested in seeing what comes out. Fred will start us off below:


Fred's Top Ten:

#1- Having a Father in Heaven who loves me.

#2-Having a wife on earth who loves me.

#3-Having 10 children, who always remind me of Gods generosity, in allowing Ellie and I to share in creation.

Me and Peter at 5 minutes old

#4-The ability to support my family doing a job I enjoy.

#5 Sprint Car Racing

#6-Trout

#7-My parents and their gift of faith

My folks

#8-All foods with high refined sugar content

#9-Living in the United States

Iwo Jima

#10-Being in Good Health

Jack Lalanne

Sophie Part III

If you have read Sophie part I and Sophie Part II, these pictures should sufficiently explain how easy it is to tolerate her shenanigans.

Leonids Tonight

Hey, there is going to be another Leonids shower tonight. It is not a full moon, but if the sky is clear have a peek out there! Looking up at the night sky filled with starts and breathing crisp, clean, fall air keeps any and all problems in your life in perspective.Enjoy!

Sophie Part II

Today Sophie climbed out of her crib 100 times. She also found a bright pink magic marker ( thank you Sarah) and colored all over my bedspread, rug, and bedroom walls. This is actually made worse by the fact that she did all of these deeds while I was busy....cleaning the rest of the house.

Sophie

Sophie is climbing out of her crib as of today.

She also attempted to change herself tonight with a fully loaded diaper.

She is almost 2.

I don't think I need to say anything else, other than- please pray for me!